Fan wheel and method of making same



w. A. ROWE FAN WHEEL AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed March 17, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 n e v w a,

Nov; 4 192 4 1513763 W'. A. ROWE FAN WHEEL AND METHOD OF MAKINGSAME Filed March 17, 922

2 Sheers-Sheet awvewtozr Patented Nov. 4, 15924.

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WILLIAM A. ROWE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN BLOWER COM- I PANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

FAN AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME.

Application filedmarch 17, 1922. Serial No. 544,477.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. ROWE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fan Wheels and Methods of Making Same, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in centrifugal fans, and more particularly to an improved fan wheel of the multi-bladed type and method of making same.

' The object of the invention is to provide an improved small size fan wheel of the class referred to that will be sufficiently strong and rigid and which can be produced at low cost.

The invention, with other objects and advantages thereof, and the particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts comprising the same will be understood from the hereinafter contained detail description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, and illustrating one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fan wheel constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view prior to the formation of the blades.

Fig. 3 is a prospective view of the blank of metal from which the fan wheel is formed.

Fig. 4 is an elevation showing the same" slotted prior to pressing out the blades.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, through a portion of the rim of the wheel.

Figs. 6 and 7 are detail transverse sections, on lines 6-6 and 7-7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of a portion of the wheel.

In accordance with the present invention a fan wheel of integral cup-shaped formation comprising a rim part and a plate or disk at one end thereof is provided by pressing or drawing the same out from a single contin-- out from a continuous flat round sheet of metal a, illustrated Figure 3. Figure 2 shows the structure after the pressing or drawing operation prior to the formation of the blades. "In the forming of blades 4, the rim part Z is provided intermediate its ed es with a series of equally spaced'transverse slits 5, and series of longitudinal parallel slits 6 extending from the ends of the transverse slits 5 approximately midway between the transverse slits. The portions bounded by the series of slits 56, are then bent therefrom, and said ortions and the adjacent portions of the intermediate supporting strip portion 7 are shaped to give the blades the desired curvature and inclination, the supporting strip portions 7, being slightly stretched or shaped as shown, see particularly Figure 6, the stretching of said portions '7 being greatest centrally of the ends thereof, and at the ends there being formed small angularly disposed web like portions 7 which serve as stiffening and reinforcing means, said blades extending inwardly from the rim part. 8 designates a hub part which may be secured to the end disk 2 in any suitable way. The outwardly extending flange or flared portion3 at the inlet side of the fan serves to stiffen and reinforce the structure at this point at one side of the stamped out portions, this outwardly flared end portion also increasing the inlet area of the wheel, increasing the capacity and efliciency of the wheel.

The wheels may be constructed from any suitable material, sheet tin plate or the like being considered especially adapted for the purpose. 7 The improved integral fan wheel pressed out from a continuous sheet of metal in accordance with my improved method of "construction possesses the required strength and rigidity and can be manufactured at ex tremely low cost.

. While a specific embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing, I desire it to be understood that minor changes and modifications of the particular construction shown, and the carrying out of the invention in other forms, as will appeal to those skilled in the art and falling within the scope of the appended claims, may he practiced without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is: I l. A fan Wheel member including a rim part constructed of sheet metal and provided with a series of transverse slits intermediate its edges and a series of short parallel longitudinal slits extending from the ends of the transverse slits to points intermediate the same, the portions of the rim hounded by said slits being bent therefrom out of the curve oii'the rim providing curved blade portions, and the intermediate parts of the rim directly hack of the ends of the longitudinal slits between the linesot said slits being bent centrally of their ends and at their forward portions out of the curve of the rim in the direction of. the hend of the first mentioned hlade portions and having end portionsextending at an inclination transversely of the Wheel at the ends of the first mentioned blade portions, said last mentioned end portions constituting stilifening means.

2. A fan Wheel member including a rim 1 part constructed of sheet metal and provided with a series of transverse slits intermediate its edges, and a series of short parallel longitudinal slits extending from the ends of the transverse slits to points intermediate the WELLIAM A.

Witnesses: 1

Nm VAN Usrmrnnne, Frances E. Mirna 

